LIFE OF DR. ADAM CLARKE.
WE have read these three volumes of letters details, and anec- dotes of the late chief of the great sect of Methodists, until we are fairly captivated by him—his amiability, his universal charity, his learning, and his domestic and social virtues. The first volume was one of rude but religious struggle and experience, worthy of an apostle—in these days we should say, of a martyr. The second presented the blossoms of arduous cultivation : we saw the man of unquenchable activity, of unfailing love of order, of the sternest and most straightforward sense of duty, triumph- ing over all obstacles, and careering calmly and beautifully into harbour. The third volume is the register and record of his sue- (fess : he has reached an elevation looked up to by all—even by the nobles and dignitaries of the land—by the mere depth of learning and piety, and the great assisting and essential power of uprightness. Of the many trophies of this kind here recorded, one of the most pleasing is the behaviour to him of that amiable and enlightened prince, the Duke of Suss= : his conduct towards Dr. CLARKE, his well-grounded friendship, almost affection for him, do honour alike both to the Prince and Methodist. There is a. letter in this collection from the Duke of Sussex to this unordered priest, on being presented with his long and laborious Com- mentary on the Bible, which perhaps is unequalled in the annals of royalty : if anywhere it is approached, it must be in the letters of MArrnieus CORVINUS, the learned King of Hungary, and patron of the learned men of Europe. We feel an irresistible temptation to quote this letter: although it be not newspaper stuff, it concerns. every one to know that there are such men near the Throne.
"Dear Sir—Had I not been seriously indisposed for some time, long before this you should have heard from me. An illness of upwards of six weeks has hitherto rendered me incapable of doing any thing except of feeling grateful to you for a most interesting letter, as well as for the most valuable present which you could have bestowed upon me.
"Your precious work is already carefully placed in my library ; and, as goons*
I return to Kensington Palace, it will afford me infinite satisfaction to study and diligently to examine its contents; which I cannot do so perfectly at this place. inward thoughts is with the Almighty alone, Who knoweth the hearts and most thoughts of every one of his creatures, to recompense with everlasting grace your great exertions and activity in expounding and publishing the divine truths to the world at large. That this will be the case, I have no doubt ; and I most fervently pray, that when it may please the Omnipotent Disposer of all human events to call you hence, you may then receive a more durable and adequate reward for your labours, than in this mortal and transitory world I fear you are now likely to attain. We miserable inhabitants of this terrestrial globe, are, however, capable at least of judging and estimating your mental and physical exertions in this great cause; and I, for one, can assure you that I feel most thankful to you for having selected me as a witness of your diligence, assi- duity, and perseverance, in this godlike work, by the presentation to me of a copy of your voluminous work, the produce of the fruits of your industry. This kind distinction, believe me, is not thrown away upon one who is either insen- sible to the compliment, or ignorant of the value of the gift ; and most faithfully do I promise to read, consult, and meditate upon your faithful, luminous, and elaborate explanations of the Sacred Book. As far as I have presumed to dive into and to occupy myself with the holy volumes, I feel satisfied of their divine origin and truth; but that they contain likewise more matters than any one, and myself in particular, can ever aspire fully to understand. This belief ought, however, in nowise to slacken our diligence, or damp our ardour in attempt- ing a constant research after the attainment of knowledge and truth ; as we may Ratter ourselves, although unable to reach the goal, still to approach much nearer to its portals; which of itself is a great blessing, as I am convinced that if we only follow strictly the rules and regulations contained in the Scriptures for the guidance of our conduct in this world, we may present ourselves (although aware of our own unworthiness) before the Divine 'Throne with a confident hope of forgiveness, from the knowledge we acquire therein of His mercy to all truly penitent sinners. "Thus far I boldly state that I think ; but I do not venture to enter upon, or to burden myself with what are commonly designated as dogmas, and which, in my conscience, I believe for the most part, if not entirely, are human inventions, andinot exerted for purposes or for motives of Christian charity: I am, there- fore, determined to keep my mind calm upon such topics, and to remain undis- turbed and unbewildered by them. I am persuaded that their adoption is not necessary for salvation. This I say, wishing at the same time that I am mak- ing this honest declaration, not to be thought a Freethinker, which imputation I would indignantly repel ; nor to pass for a person indifferent about religion, which God knows I consider if Christianly—I mean most charitably—observed, to be the greatest blessing to mankind in general, and of the utmost importance to my own comfort and happiness in this world, as well as to my hopes in futurity. "These objects, besides many others which seem to have occupied the greatest and most valuable part of your active life, cannot fail of being most interesting to the historian, the theologist, the legislator, and the philosopher : from all these details the mind will undoubtedly derive rich sources of information where- with to make researches, and thence to ground deductions. To these I shall assiduously apply myself when retired in my closet ; and as my heart and mind improve, I shall feel my debt of gratitude towards you daily increasing—an ob- ligation I shall ever be proud to own ; and with which sentiment I have the pleasure to conclude, signing myself, dear Sir,
"Your sincerely obliged and truly devoted
" Bognor, December 24, 1822."
The above long letter is altogether in the handwriting of his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex ; an individual whose nobility of soul illustrates his nobility of birth, and who is a prince in all royal endowments.
The traits which relate to Dr. CLARKE himself in these vo- lumes, illustrate his heartfelt charity, his unfeigned enthusiasm, his ceaseless anxiety for the religious objects of his life. All these are mixed up with such order, family love, and domestic good un- derstanding, as to penetrate us deeply with the admiration due to so active and long-enduring a good character. It is not to be won- dered at that such a man had great influence on those with similar views : in fact these volumes contain the most beautiful instances of good intentions and generous views following in the wake of energy and enthusiasm. Dr. CLARKE wasrone of the few illustrious men that fell a victim to cholera in 1832.
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